Cushion hair dryer with air diverter



1967 cs. E. GLINTZ 3,358,382

CUSHION HAIR DRYER WITH AIR DIVERTER Filed Sept. 24,1965

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Georgia Ella Glinfz INVENTOR.

MM BY 5%, 5%

1967 e. E. GLINTZ 3,358,382

CUSHION HAIR DRYER WITH AIR DIVERTER Filed Sept. 24, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,358,382 CUSHION HAIR DRYER WITH AIR DIVERTER Georgia Ella Glintz, 2909 University Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50311 Filed Sept. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 489,900 7 Claims. (Cl. 3499) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combined hair dryer in the form of a cushion on which a person having their hair dried may place their head and which has a plurality of apertures therein communicating with the hollow interior of the cushion which in turn is communicated with a heated air source so that air will pass upwardly through the apertures, through and around the hair of the persons head resting on the cushion. A hood encloses the cushion and has a head enclosing portion extending above the cushion. The hood includes an open end area for receiving the head of the person whose hair is being dried and the cushion includes a slot-like opening with the depending diverter structure associated therewith for diverting a portion of the air upwardly into the interior of the cushion for drying the hair. The hood is also provided with a plurality of exhaust openings therein for enabling air circulation.

The present invention generally relates to a cushiontype hair dryer and more particularly such a dryer having an air diverter incorporated therein with the structure disclosed in this application representing certain structural improvements over that disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,913,833 for Cushion Hair Dryer, issued Nov. 24, 1959.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hair drying cushion having perforations therein allowing air to come into contact with the hair of a person having their head resting on the cushion combined with a hood extending over the portion of the head resting on the cushion and means for directing a portion of the air into the hood for efficient drying of the hair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair dryer in accordance with the preceding object having a novel air diverter or divider associated with the air inlet from the hot air source so that a proportional volume of air will be discharged through the apertures in the cushion and through a slot-like opening into the hood which partially encloses the head of the person resting on the cushion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cushion-type hair dryer having a cover therefor with apertures aligned with the apertures in the cushion together with air diversion means for controlling and directing the flow of heated air through the hair drying cushion.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cushion-type hair dryer having means thereon for detachably supporting a flexible hood encompassing a portion of the head of a person resting on the cushion with the hair dryer being relatively simple in construction, effective for its particular purposes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the cushion-type hair dryer of the present invention illustrating the manner of use thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the cushion-type dryer connected with the source of heated air;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the cushion with portions thereof broken away illustrating the cover and the internal structure;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken sub stantially upon a plane passing along section line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 illustrating further structural details of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 55 of FIGURE 4 illustrating the relationship of the hood to the cushion-type dryer; and

FIGURE 6 is a partial rear elevational view of the device illustrating the manner in which the hood receives the cushion.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the cushion hair dryer is generally designated by the numeral 10 and includes a hood 12 connected thereto together with a source of heated air 14 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The cushion 10 supports the head 16 of a person 18 using the device for drying the hair 20. The person 18 normally is in a reclining position with their head 16 resting on the cushion 10 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1 with this relationship also being illustrated in FIG- URE 4.

The cushion hair dryer 10 includes a bottom plate 22 of imperforate construction, an end wall 24, an end wall 30, side walls 32 and 34 and a top wall 36 all of which are orientated in perpendicular relationship to each other to define a hollow chamber 38. A vertical partition wall 40 is connected to the terminal edge portion of the top wall 36 which is spaced from an inturned flange 42 on the end wall thus forming a slot 44 communicating with the top surface of the cushion at the upper surface thereof and communicating with a heated air inlet nipple 46 in the end wall 30 which communicates with the compartment 38 so that heated air may enter the compartment 38 and some of the heated air will discharge through the slot 44. The partition wall terminates above the bottom wall 22 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 thus defining an entrance way or slot 48 for a portion of the heated air to enter the area of the compartment 38 underlying the top 36. A semicylindrical diverter or divider 50 is attached to the face of the partition 40 which faces the heated air inlet nipple 46 so that as the air strikes the semi-cylindrical diverter 50, a portion of the air will be diverted upwardly through the slot 44 and a portion of the air will be diverted through the entrance way 48 into the compartment 38 for escape through a plurality of apertures 52 formed in the top wall 36.

Mounted on the top surface of the top wall 36 is a layer of cushioning material 54 such as foam rubber, foam plastic or the like having apertures 56 therein corresponding with the apertures 52 for passage of air therethrough. A pair of generally J-shaped air guide members 58 are employed in the compartment 38 and are secured to the bottom wall 22 with the top edge thereof spaced from the top wall 36. The ends of the straight portions of the guides 58 are spaced from the partition 40 and the guides 58 are spaced from each other with the ends of the curved portions spaced from the side walls 32 and 34 as illustrated in FIGURE 3 for dispersing the air generally evenly throughout the compartment 38 so that hot air will discharge through all of the apertures 52 so that heated air completely encloses the head and dries the hair 20 in a generally well-known manner.

The hot air source 14 includes a standard 60 having a base plate 62 for resting on a supporting surface and a combined heater and blower assembly 66 at the upper end of the standard 60. The discharge nozzle of the combined heater and blower is connected with a flexible tube 68 which is engaged with the intake nipple 46 as illustrated in FIG. 4. A suitable electrical conductor 70 is associated with a source of electrical energy for supplying electrical energy to the combined heater and blower 66. The heater and blower 66 is a conventional commercially available item as is the flexible tube or hose 68 and is illustrated for the purpose-s of description and it is understood that any suitable type of combined heater and blower or other source of pressurized heated air may be employed with the present invention.

Disposed in overlying relation to the cushion is a flexible cover 72 which has perforations 74 in the top portion thereof which overlies the cushioning material 54 so that the apertures 74 are aligned with the apertures 56 and 52 for passage of air therethrough. The cover 72 snugly embraces the peripheral walls 32, 34, 24 and 30 in a manner illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, to substantially completely encompass the cushion except for the bottom. The top wall of the cover 72 is also provided with a slotlike opening 76 aligned with the slot-opening 44 for passage of air therethrough. The cover 72 may be constructed of any suitable material such as plastic or the like Which is moisture impervious and which may be readily changed when desired. This enables the cushion-type hair dryer to be retained in a clean and sanitary condition and enhances the appearance of the device, as Well as protecting the cushioning material from becoming soaked with water.

Supported above the cushion is the flexible hood 12 which includes an end panel 78 and an arcuate peripheral panel 80 of transparent plastic material which is generally flexible in nature but may be of sufficient thickness to have shape sustaining characteristics. The peripheral edge of the end panel 78 is arcuate and joined to one end of the peripheral panel 80 along a seam 82. The other end of the panel 80 is open to provide an entrance opening 84 for receiving the head 16 of the person using the dryer. Also, the end panel 78 is provided with a plurali-ty of apertures 86 therein for increasing air circulation.

The opening 84 is provided with a peripheral hem 88 having an elastic element inserted therein for snugging the opening around the periphery of the face of the person having their hair dried. At the upper portion of the hem 86, there is provided a pad 90 of resilient cushioning material which fits across the forehead for the comfort of the person having their hair dried so that the hem of the hair drying hood will not form a visible line across the forehead and also this pad is absorbent to prevent any moisture from trickling down the forehead into the eyes of the person having their hair dyed.

The hood 12 completely encompasses the cushion and includes a depending skirt portion 92 having a bottom 94 thereon which extends under the bottom 22 of the cushion as illustrated in FIGURE 4. In order to facilitate insertion and removal of the cushion in relation to the hood 12, the rear portion of the hood skirt 92 is provided with an elongated slit 96 extending from edge to edge thereof which has a resilient hem to enable the cushion to be inserted into the hood and removed therefrom when desired. The slit or opening 96 as illustrated in FIGURE 6 has a central recessed area 98 forming an opening for the hot air inlet 46 as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 6. With the hood completely covering the cushion, a more sanitary unit is provided and the outside of the cushion may be easily washed or if desired, the cover 72 for the cushion may be replaced when desired.

Air circulates throughout the interior of the cushion and holes are provided throughout the hood to enable exhaust of damp air thus allowing complete circulation of air around the head. This will increase the efiiciency of the drying operation since it enables easier and more effective circulation of air.

With this construction, the heated air passes not only through the apertures in the cushion but also upwardly through the slot and into the interior of the hood for more etficient drying of the hair. The hood retains the air in intricate contact with the hair and also enables discharge thereof so that air which has absorbed moisture from the hair may be readily discharged from the hood. Thus, there is provided a cushion somewhat similar to that shown in prior-Patent No. 2,913,833 but with the hood attached thereto and with the air divider incorporated therein for more efficiently drying the hair of a person employing the device. It is also pointed out that in some instances it may be possible to insert the cushion 10 in the hood 12 through opening 84 thus requiring only a circular opening in the rear portion of the skirt 92.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as cla med.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A cushion for drying hair of a person disposed in a reclining position, said cushion comprising a hollow base, padding over said base, a cover over said padding, aligned air passages in said base, said padding and said cover, means communicating said hollow base with a heated air supply, a hood extending over the cushion and overlying a persons head having their hair dried, said base and cover having a slot-like opening communicating the hollow base with the interior of the hood and air diverting means for diverting a portion of heated air coming into the hollow base upwardly into the interior of the hood while the remainder of the air passes upwardly through the aligned air passages for more efliciently drying the hair.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said hood includes a portion enclosing a portion of the head in generally spaced relation and including an arcuate peripheral wall and end panels, one end panel having an enlarged head receiving opening therein, a bottom panel interconnecting the lower edges of said end panels and arcuate wall and extending under the cushion.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said means communicating the hollow base with a heated air supply includes an inlet fitting, said air diverter means being disposed in spaced relation to the inlet fitting and being generally in the form of a partition having the upper edge defining one edge of the slot-like opening and having a lower edge spaced from the bottom of the hollow base, a generally semi-circular curved member on the side of the partition facing the heated air inlet fitting for diverting a portion of the air upwardly and a portion of the air downwardly around the bottom of the partition with the upwardly directed air passing through the slotlike opening into the interior of the hood, said hood including an opening therein receiving the inlet fitting and a plurality of exhaust openings oriented in the head enclosing portion.

4. A cushion and hood assembly for drying hair comprising a hollow base having an apertured upper surface adapted to receive the head of the person in reclining position, heated air inlet means communicating with the holow base, said hollow base including a slot-like opening in the top wall thereof, and a hood disposed above the base and having a portion thereof supported from the base, one end of the hood being substantially closed and the other end being substantially open for enabling insertion of the head of a person having their hair dried within the hood while resting on the cushion whereby heated air will be disposed interiorly of the hood and progress upwardly through the apertured upper surface of the hollow base for effectively drying the hair.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said hollow base includes an air diverter in the form of a partition having the upper edge forming an edge of the slotlike opening remote from the air inlet means, the lower edge of the partition being spaced from the bottom of the hollow base so that air may pass up through the slot-like opening and under the partition into the hollow base for discharge through the apertured padded cushion.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said partition is provided with a deflector having upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces for directing a portion of the air upwardly through the slot-like opening and a portion of the air downwardly around the bottom edge of the partition for subsequent passage through the apertures in the upper surface of the cushion.

7. A cushion for drying hair comprising a hollow base having a generally planar upper surface provided with a plurality of apertures disposed substantially throughout the planar surface, said planar surface including an elongated slot-like opening adjacent one edge thereof, said cushion including a hollow interior having means thereon for communicating With a source of heated air, and diverter means depending into the hollow interior of the cushion and terminating in spaced relation to the bottom of the hollow interior, a curved surface area forming part of said diverter means for diverting a portion of the heated air up through the slot-like opening and a portion of the heated air down under the diverter means for discharge through the apertures, and guide means in the hollow interior of the cushion spaced from the planar top surface thereof for dispersing heated air for passage through all of the apertures in the cushion for impinging heated air on substantially the entire surface area of the head disposed on the cushion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,184,858 12/1939 Goodman.

2,244,953 6/1941 Klingensmith 34-90 X 2,453,364 11/1948 Fears 3499 X 2,654,161 10/1953 Bowen 34-99 2,769,247 11/1956 Krueger 3490 2,913,833 11/1959 Glintz 3497 FREDERICK L. MATTESON, 111., Primary Examiner. A D. HERRMANN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CUSHION FOR DRYING HAIR OF A PERSON DISPOSED IN A RECLINING POSITION, SAID CUSHION COMPRISING A HOLLOW BASE, PADDING OVER SAID BASE, A COVER OVER SAID PADDING, ALIGNED AIR PASSAGES IN SAID BASE, SAID PADDING AND SAID COVER, MEANS COMMUNICATING SAID HOLLOW BASE WITH A HEATED AIR SUPPLY, A HOOD EXTENDING OVER THE CUSHION AND OVERLYING A PERSON''S HEAD HAVING THEIR HAIR DRIED, SAID BASE AND COVER HAVING A SLOT-LIKE OPENING COMMUNICATING THE HOLLOW BASE WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE HOOD AND AIR DIVERTING MEANS FOR DIVERTING A PORTION OF HEATED AIR COMING INTO THE HOLLOW BASE UPWARDLY INTO THE INTERIOR 